Being Attentive
One of my favorite pastimes is people watching. I love to observe how bodies move, how people interact with each other, their facial expressions. By focusing intently on someone even for a short period of time, you can learn something about her or him. Maybe she is feeling defeated or her sacrum is out of place or she is giddy in love. The possibilities are unlimited.
It’s not just people that I like to watch, but also the environment around me. When walking my dog, many times the route that we take is the same one that we’ve been on multiple times. As part of my mindfulness practice to think less and be present more, I focus my attention on my surroundings. Someone trimmed the tree that used to obstruct the path, the bluebirds seem to be leading my way, the herd of cattle is contently grazing in the lush green field. Just noticing….observing.
Something I find delightful is when I’m on a familiar path yet notice something for the first time. How long has that been there? Why didn’t I see it before? Will it still be there next time I travel this way? Just by making the observation, I’ve now established a relationship with that object. It could be a rock or a birdhouse or a tree that is slowly falling. And now, each time I pass by its location, I look for it and my gaze says, ‘oh, hello…I see you’.
My morning meditation practice is where I turn this observation inward. Sitting in front of the wood stove wrapped in a fuzzy blanket, I sit. Some mornings my mind is easily distracted by my thoughts and periodically it will settle in to calmness quite quickly. When a thought triggers my mind and it goes down into the rabbit hole of analyzing or thinking or planning, I like to assess whether this is something I need to revisit later when I’m not on my meditation cushion or if it’s just my mind doing what it likes to do…be busy. Occasionally I’ll remember something that I need to tend to, thank my busy little mind for the reminder, and then pull my attention back to stillness.
Whether you are observing yourself, others, or the environment around you, there is always something to learn. Observing, without judgment, is such a wonderful practice in being present. You never know what you may discover if you just pause, be still for a bit, and pay attention. Give it a try. Slow down, be quiet and see what presents itself to you.